Quantum Mechanics Davisson and Germer Experiment
Quantum Mechanics Davisson and Germer Experiment
Quantum Mechanics Davisson and Germer Experiment
Quantum Mechanics
Reference:
Book 1(theory): Concepts of Modern Physics
A. Beiser
Book 2(theory): Solid State Physics
S.O.Pillai
Lecture -II
In the year 1927, Davisson and Germer conducted their famous experiment which was
the experimental verification of De-Broglie's hypothesis i.e. = h/p.
2
o
o
o
1 2eV
m v eV v
2 m
Using De-Broglie's equation
h
=
m v
= =
o
o
h 12.28
= A
2eVm V
=
Using Braggs Law: The condition for
diffraction of X ray is
where n = 1, 2, 3
For Ni d=0.91
2dsin n u =
o
A
|
And =90-/2
If
V=54 Volt
0
0
A 67 . 1
A 65 . 1
=
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
+
=
c m
eV
eV m
h
c m K K
hc
( )
-
relativistic mass and v the velocity of the particle. In Thompsons
experiment the particles e are accelerated through a p.d. of about 15 to 60 kV.
For such energetic e the relativistic mass formula
o
2
2
o
2
2
m
is m=
v
1
c
h h
=
m v
mv
v
1
c
| |
|
\ .
=
| |
|
\ .
2
2 2 2 1/ 2
o o 2
The relativistic expression for kinetic energy is
v
K=mc m c m c (1 ) 1
c
Therefore, if the e (charge e) is accelerated from the rest through a potential of Vvolts,
=
`
)
2
2 1/ 2
o 2
2
1/ 2
2 2
o
1/
2
v
m c (1 ) 1 eV
c
v eV
(1 ) 1 1 z (3)
c m c
v=c 1 (1 z)
=
`
)
= + = +
( +
2
1/ 2
2
2
2
1/ 2 1/ 2
2 2
o o
(4)
Multiplying eq (3) and (4)
v
c 1 (1 z) (1 z)
v
1
c
z 2eV eV
=c[2z(1+ )] =c[ (1 )]
2 m c 2m c
Substituting this value
( = + +
+
1/ 2
2
o
o 2
o
h eV
in eq (2) = (1 )
2m c
2eV
m c
m c
+
This is the relativistic expression for the De-Broglie wavelength of an e-
accelerated through a high p.d of V volts. It reduces to the expression if
relativistic effect is ignored (i.e., v<<c).
Substituting the above value of in eq. (1)
Comparison of the value of d obtained in this way agreed to within 1% with
values determined by using X-rays of known wavelengths. For example, in
case of gold foil the value of obtained by the above formula was 4.08A
o
while that obtained by X-rays method was 4.06A
o
. Thus the De-Broglie
conception of matter waves was verified.
1/2
2
o
o
h eV
(1 )
2m c
2m eV
= +
o
h
2m eV
=
1/2
2
o
o
L h eV
d (1 )
r 2m c
2m eV
= +
16
For first order diffraction : n=1
From figure, 2 =R/D
Hence d= D /R
d = /2sin =/2 for small
The interference rings in Figure
were produced by sending X-rays
of wavelength =1 through a
poly-crystalline thin film of
copper (d=2.55 ) of thickness
t=1m. To produce the same set of
rings but with electrons m=10
-27
gm instead of X-rays, what kinetic
energy (in eV) should the
electrons in the incoming beam
have?
1
2
2
o
o
D h eV
d 1
R 2m c
2m eV
| |
= +
|
\ .
The diffraction patterns simulated above compare
the effects of x-rays passing through a thin foil with
those of high energy electrons passing through the
same medium. Notice how similar the patterns are to
each other when the de Broglie wavelength of an
electron beam equals the wavelength of the original
x-rays.
17
18
A SUMMARY OF DUAL ITY OF NATURE
Wave particle duality of physical objects
LIGHT
Wave nature -EM wave Particle nature -photons
Optical microscope
Interference
Convert light to electric current
Photo-electric effect
PARTICLES
Wave nature
Matter waves -electron
microscope
Particle nature
Electric current
photon-electron
collisions
Discrete (Quantum) states of confined
systems, such as atoms.